With so many charitable choices,

WHY GIVE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?

1. PERMANENT
Your gift becomes part of a permanent endowment, where it will continue to address charitable needs for generations to come.

2. PERSONAL
Your gift can be an expression of the things you care about -- and, by establishing a fund, you can create a personal legacy in your own name.

3. SIMPLE
You can support a number of charitable interests and nonprofit organizations through a single gift.

4. CONVENIENT
The community foundation is set up to make giving easy -- even for those with complex finances and charitable objectives. You can make a gift at a time and in a manner that suits you best, using cash, appreciated stock, real estate, or other assets.

5. TAX-SMART
Gifts to the community foundation qualify for the maximum tax benefits allowed under federal and Michigan law -- including a State of Michigan Income Tax Credit, which can reduce the cost of making a donation by more than 50%. Take advantage of this tax credit now however, as changes to the Michigan Tax Code will eliminate this credit, as well as similar credits for gifts to public radio, colleges and universities, libraries and museums, homeless shelters and food banks in 2013. Other types of planned gifts or transfer of equities can reduce estate and capital gains tax as well.